Renting

Landlord Information

The information below is provided as a resource for our Landlords. We welcome your enquiry on any matter. If you a new to property rental just contact the Davidson Cameron & Co office closest to you to discuss in more detail how to quickly get your property tenanted or you have a need for more information.

The Residential Tenancies Act 2010 was passed by Parliament in June 2010.

Smoke Alarms

Under the Residential Tenancies Act and the Residential Tenancies (Residential Premises) Regulation:

Landlords are responsible for the installation of smoke alarms in rented premises.

Landlords have the right of access to rented premises to fit smoke alarms after giving the tenant at least 2 days notice.

Neither the landlord nor the tenant are, except with reasonable excuse, permitted to remove or interfere with the operation of a smoke alarm fitted in the rented premises.

Where a smoke alarm is of the type that has a replaceable battery, the landlord must put a new battery in at the commencement of a tenancy.

After the tenancy begins, the tenant is responsible for replacing the battery if needed. However, if the tenant is physically unable to change the battery the tenant is required to notify the landlord as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the need for it to be replaced.

The tenant is not responsible for the replacement of batteries in ‘hard-wired’ smoke alarm systems that have battery back-up. This is the responsibility of the landlord.

The condition report section of the tenancy agreement must include a specific reference to smoke alarms so that tenants and landlords are able to note and comment on the presence of smoke alarms at the beginning and end of the tenancy.

Tenant Information

Rent Payments

Initial rent payment, when moving into the property, may be paid by Bank Cheque or Cash. A receipt is always available for rental payments.

If preferred, rental payments can be made via direct deposit. Please contact your nearest Davidson Cameron & Co office for account details and ensure that the office is advised of the amount and frequency you will be depositing your rent. Rental statements are available on request.

Bond

You will usually be asked to pay a rental bond. This is a form of security for the landlord in case you owe money for rent or damage to the premises at the end of the tenancy.

Service Connection

On commencing your tenancy you will need to arrange connection to all services. To assist, we have noted the following:

Contact Details

Please advise our office of the telephone number at the property when you have it connected. Also, if you change employment during your tenancy, please advise us of your new work contact number, as there may be times when we need to make contact urgently.

Arrears

Prompt up-to-date payments will protect your rental history reference. Rent must be paid regularly and on time, and always advise our office of any problem which may impact on your rental commitment. Late payments/arrears/or tenant damage to property may lead to a Terminate/Vacate Notice being issued and your details being recorded on TICA. (see link at bottom of page for more information on TICA)

Periodical Inspections

Davidson Cameron & Co will regularly perform routine inspections. You will be given notice of inspections, and in most cases, if the timing does not suit you, we will organise an alternative time/date. If, after initial notice, we do not hear from you, and you are not home on the allocated time/date we are able to use the office key for access. Inspections assist both the tenant and the owner, as we look at maintenance/repair requirements, the condition of the yard and interior cleanliness etc.

Keys

It is your responsibility to return all keys to the property to our office on vacating the property. Rent will be charged until the day all keys are returned as per the provisions of the Residential Tenancy Act.

Insurance

It is your responsibility to arrange insurance cover for your own contents as the Landlord’s policy covers the building, fittings and fixtures only.

Change of Tenant

The Tenancy Agreement states the tenants names on the Agreement, if a new tenant wants to occupy the property, they must apply and be approved.

Final Inspection Guide

The Final Inspection will include an inspection by the Property Management Team. We have listed some key areas to ensure the final inspection leads to a smooth move.